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“I’ve got to go find Soleil,” Trev told his friend.

“She’s gone.”

“Gone? What the fuck do you mean, she’sgone?” Not waiting for an answer, he shot toward the door.

When he arrived at Soleil’s room, he found Damian conversing with Knox Carlyle. Neither man looked thrilled.

“Where is she?”

CHAPTER21

“Where the fuck is she?”

Trevor’s heart produced whole-body vibrations, and the relentless pounding threatened to break through his chest wall. His gut churned, and acid gnawed away his stomach lining.

“She was reaching for my hand when the portal malfunctioned. I rushed through, but she was gone,”Knox said, bemused. He glanced around as if he still couldn’t believe what had happened.

Shaking his head, Trevor stared at Knox.“What do you mean a portal? What about the Blockers? Stockton had them in place, didn’t he?”He faced Damian.“Didn’t he put them back up after you walked through?”

“He never lowered them for me. Arriving is not an issue for this island.”

The Aether roamed the room, his head cocked as if listening. To what, Trevor didn’t know, but he wouldn’t have heard anything over his thudding pulse anyway.

“What are you searching for?”

“A magical signature.”Damian waved his hand.“Ostendo!”

The daylight disappeared, and a hidden gateway to another location became visible, with a teal ribbon of light crisscrossing the person-sized opening.

“There’s your doorway to whoever took Soleil,”he stated matter-of-factly.

“How do you know?”Trev asked.

“It’s unique to this room.”

With a frown, Knox squatted and studied the edges of the criss-cross pattern.“You don’t believe thiswas createdwhen Soleil and I tried to circumvent the Blockers?”

“No.”Damian pointed to the light source.“It’s brighter on the backside and folds in on itself as it clings to this opening. If I had to guess, they’re leaving this open to either return her or in hopes someone follows.” He met Trevor’s eyes.“I suspect you.”

“But why? Why would they want me to follow her?”

“If your supposition was correct, and a council member from the Authority is behind this, they intend to kill two birds with one stone, as it were. They take Soleil, knowing you’ll chase after her, and through her, they’ll attempt to control you.”

“Still not understanding the why of it, Dethridge.”

“You don’t need to.Theyhave a reason, and we’ll figure it out soon enough.”His eyes swept Trevor’s hands.“Where’s the tanzanite ring we created for you when we went after Morcant?”

“Back at my apartment. It seemed silly to wear it after the danger had passed.”

Damian held up his hand and showed his pinky ring.“My recommendation would be to get used to it. It’s how our team can connect without worrying about cell service.”

“Our team?”Trev asked.

“Your team?”Knox asked.

With a roll of his eyes, Damian waved a hand and restored light to the room. The portal remained highlighted, and Trevor was suitably impressed by the trick.

“Yes, our team of Sentinels, Blane. You’re all under my protection, and I owe each of you a debt of gratitude tobe paidat a time of my choosing.”